Depiction of Relief

Depiction of Depiction of ReliefRelief

Interpreting Interpreting ContoursContours

Rhys LlywelynRhys Llywelyn

Contour lines are continuous lines on Contour lines are continuous lines on the map that join points of the same the map that join points of the same

height above sea level.height above sea level.

Rhys Rhys LlywelynLlywelyn

On 1:50000 scale maps the contour On 1:50000 scale maps the contour interval is every 10minterval is every 10m

When you look at a map, you should try to interpret the contours and build up a 3 Dimensional picture in your mind of what the ground

actually looks like.Rhys Rhys

LlywelynLlywelyn

ContourContour FeaturesFeatures Closely packed contours indicate a steep slopeClosely packed contours indicate a steep slope Well spaced contours indicate a gentler slopeWell spaced contours indicate a gentler slope

Rhys Rhys LlywelynLlywelyn

There are four main features that we There are four main features that we use when navigating in the mountains.use when navigating in the mountains.

Also imagining that each feature has Also imagining that each feature has four sides that go either up or down four sides that go either up or down can help identify the feature on the can help identify the feature on the

ground.ground.

Top/SummitTop/Summit SpurSpur ColCol

Re-entrantRe-entrantRhys Rhys

LlywelynLlywelyn

Top/SummitTop/Summit

Contours Contours form a form a

completcomplete circlee circle

All four All four sides sides down.down.

Rhys Rhys LlywelynLlywelyn

SpurSpur

Contours are Contours are U or V U or V

shaped, shaped, pointing away pointing away from the high from the high

groundground

Three sides Three sides down and one down and one

up.up.Rhys Rhys

LlywelynLlywelyn

Col/SaddleCol/Saddle Two spurs Two spurs

pointing pointing towards towards each othereach other

Two opposite Two opposite sides up & sides up & other two other two down.down.

Rhys Rhys LlywelynLlywelyn

Re-entrantRe-entrant

Contours are U Contours are U or V shaped, or V shaped, but pointing but pointing towards the towards the high groundhigh ground

Three sides up Three sides up and one down.and one down.

Rhys Rhys LlywelynLlywelyn

Rhys Rhys LlywelynLlywelyn

Rhys Rhys LlywelynLlywelyn

Rhys Rhys LlywelynLlywelyn